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In anticipation of the film 'The King's Speech' which features Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter as King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, I felt motivated to post more information on this royal couple from the House of Windsor, a suitable pastime I think for this anglophile!

GEORGE V (reigned 1910-1936)Married Mary of Teck in 1893They had 6 children: Edward (later Edward VIII), Albert (later King George VI), Mary, Henry, George, John(John is the subject of 'The Lost Prince', a great series!)

George VI (christened Albert Frederick Arthur George) was born in 1895 and ascended the British throne in 1936, amidst the scandal of the abdication of his brother when Edward VIII chose to give up the throne after less than a year's reign in order to marry the divorced Wallis Simpson. George is the father of the current reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II who was 10 years old when her father stepped into a leadership role he was not expecting. His marriage to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon seems to have been a happy and successful one with her support helping him to fulfill his responsibilities as king.

If you can't wait to see 'The King's Speech, I would recommend that you find a copy of Bertie & Elizabeth, a film that came out in 2002 starring James Wilby as King George and Juliet Aubrey as Elizabeth. (Youtube link)

I remember being confused by the names used in the film. I kept waiting to hear 'George' and 'Edward' (his brother who abdicated the throne) but instead only heard the nicknames Bertie (for George) and David (for Edward) which were the familial names used by those close to them.

From Hello magazine:Elizabeth met Prince Albert, Duke of York, at a ball hosted by Lord and Lady Farquhar in Grosvenor Square on May 20. The Prince was reported to have said later that he'd fallen in love with her that very evening, though he didn't immediately realise it. "Bertie" was a shy young man with a stammer and a delicate constitution, said to have been caused by a brutal nurse who did not spare the rod when looking after him.

The Prince soon became a regular visitor to Glamis Castle, enchanted by a happy home life and, of course, by Elizabeth. "I have discovered that [Bertie] is very much attracted to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon," Queen Mary told her lady-in-waiting Lady Airlie. "He's always talking about her. She seems a charming girl but I don't know her very well." The Queen's aide replied: "I have known her all her life and could say nothing but good about her." Elizabeth's fate was sealed.

When Bertie proposed in the spring of 1921 - possibly through a third party - she turned him down. However Bertie was not going to give up hope without a fight. His mother was convinced that Elizabeth was "the one girl who could make Bertie happy" and Bertie was, too. In early 1923 the Prince joined Elizabeth at another of the family's homes. Skipping church, the couple took a stroll in the woods. Once again he proposed and this time she accepted. The King and Queen received a telegram containing the pre-arranged message they had been hoping for: "All right. Bertie".

On honeymoon

"Her gaiety conquered his shyness. She gave him confidence. When he rose to speak, she flashed him a quick smile. It gave him the spur he needed."- Biographer James Wentworth Day

Duchess Elizabeth with Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth

Bertie and Elizabeth (Duke and Duchess of York)with daughters Elizabeth and Margaret

Another family picture, Elizabeth and Margaret on right

Left: George declaring war in 1939Right: with Winston Churchill on VE Day in 1945

Samantha, I know how you feel! I've loved learning about British history and those couples in particular! Glad you got to see Bertie and Elizabeth. Have you seen The Lost Prince? It's another one that I love - about Bertie's brother when they're children.